Allen



(No Model.)

A. J. BIGELOW.

WASHING MACHINE. I No. 344,237. Patented June 22, 1886.

WITNESSES IJVV JVTOR h is Attorney N. PETERS. FhnlO-Lflhngmpher, Washington. D. c.

UNITED STATES PATENT Genres.

ALLEN d. BIGELOW, OF OGDENSBURG, NEvV YORK.

WASHING-MACHINE.

-SPBCIFICATION formingpart 01 Letters Patent No. 344,237, dated June 22, 1886.

Application filed August 10, 1885. Serial No. 178,911. No model.)

To all whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, ALLEN J. BIGELOW, a citizen of the United States, residing at Ogdensburg, in the county of St. Lawrence and 5 State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in \Vashing- Machines, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

My invention relates to improvements in washing-machines, and is designed to produce an improved means for adapting the same to large or small washings without undue wear or tear on the clothes during the operation of i5 washing; and it consists in certain novel features hereinafter described, and pointed out in the claims.

In describing my invention reference will be made to the accompanying drawings, in

Figure 1 represents a sectional view of my machine; Fig. 2, a view partly in section and partly in rear elevation of the same; Fig. 3, a detail of the driving mechanism, and Fig.

4 a detail perspective of a portion of the device for adjusting the washing mechanism.

A in the drawings designates the tub or receptacle for the clothes, suitably supported and braced, and provided with a draining or emptying plug, a. On each side of the tub, near its forward end, is secured a standard, B, connected together at their upper ends by a cross-bar, 0. Depending from this cross bar and pivotal] y secured thereto are the arms D, having attached to their lower ends the pounders or rubbers E. These rubbers are rounded to fit snugly and slide on the curved bottom of the tub, and are corrugated or notched on their front edges, to present a 0 roughened or rubbing surface to the clothes. A portion of the upper edge of each side of the tub, to the rear of the standards 13, is cut away for the reception and play of the sliding boxes F. In these boxes is journaled the 5 multiple crank-shaft G, which, being connected to the pounders by the pitman-rods H, gives a reciprocating motion thereto when revolved. 1

The boxes are made in sections, to enable the crank-shaft to be readily removed, and

are secured to the tub by means of the pins L, passing through slots in the same, and entering the side of the tub. These slots enable the boxes and the shaft jonrnaled therein to be slid or thrown forward, when desired, for 5 5 small washings. The pins L engage with the boxes with sufficient force to hold them in place when adjusted. Any equivalent devices-such, for instance, as thnmbscrewsmay be used for the purpose. 63

The crank-shaft projects out a short distance on each side of the boxes, and on one end has secured to it a fly-wheel, I, and on the other a pinion, K. Motion is imparted to the pinion K by the internal gear-wheel, M, 65 which is journaled in a suitable bracket, N, on the side of the tub, and is provided with an operating crank or handle, 0. This gear- Whcel, as will be seen by reference to Fig. 3 of the drawings, isjournaled in such a man- 0 ner with reference to the pinion as to allow the same sufficient play or movement, as will be required when adjusting the machine for small washings. This avoids the necessity of journaling the gear-wheel in a movable bearmg.

The washing mechanism is thrown back ward and forward by means of the lever P, which is secured to a cross-piece, R, the ends of which have attached to them the plates or 8.3 castings S. These plates are provided with wings I), which are secured to and embrace the ends of the cross-piece 1%. The whole is then pivotally secured on the inside of the tub, near the forward ends of the sliding boxes F, by means of the perforations o. Pins pass through the slots (1 and enter the sides of the boxes, and serve to move the boxes when the lever is operated.

In use I cover the interior of the tub with 0 sheet-zinc, which I find to possess many advantages.

\Vhat I claim, and desire to secure by Let tcrs Patent, is

1. The combination, in a washing-maehine, 5 of the tub, the standards having pivoted depending pounder-arms, with the pitman-rods and the multiple crank-shaft provided with a fiy-wheel and pinion and journaled in movable hearings on each side of the tab. 109

2. In a washing-machine, the tub, the stand- In testimony whereof I affix my signature in ards, the pivoted depending pcnnder arins presence of two witnesses. connected to and operated by a crank shaft which is jonrnaled in movable or sliding bear ALLEN BIGELOVV' 5 ings secured on the sides of the tub, in com- Witnesses: y

bination with the lever P, cross-piece R, and I WM. H. GASS,

CHAS. D. DAVIS.

plates S, substantially as specified. 

